On Monday, November 27, 2022, a kick-off meeting was held at the ministry’s conference room to initiate the Ghana Urban Mobility and Accessibility Project (GUMAP) and set the tone for the project implementation support mission.

This project aims to improve urban mobility and accessibility in six Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) and the Department of Urban Roads Head Office in Accra.

Transitec Consulting Engineers, the appointed consultants for the Short-Term Technical Assistance on the establishment of a Mobility Observatory and an Urban Mobility Strategy for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) and the Household Travel Survey, have scheduled their first and third missions respectively from Monday, November 27 to Thursday, November 30, 2023.

These missions will focus on the establishment of the Mobility Observatory, the development of an Urban Mobility Strategy for GAMA, and the implementation of a Household Travel Survey. The data collected through these activities will provide valuable insights into the current state of urban mobility in GAMA and inform the development of effective strategies and interventions to enhance transportation and accessibility for residents in the area.

In a collaborative effort to address operational challenges and optimize opportunities for the AAYALOLO Buses under the Greater Accra Transport Executives (GHAPTE), Hon. Daniel Botwe, Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, engaged in a consultation meeting with GHAPTE leadership.

The meeting centered on a comprehensive report outlining challenges and opportunities for AAYALOLO Buses. Discussions focused on strategies to enhance efficiency and productivity, including plans for the grounded fleet and considerations for expanding the bus fleet.

The outcome emphasized a consensus on actionable steps to improve AAYALOLO services, with a commitment to citizen service enhancement. Hon. Daniel Botwe expressed appreciation for collaboration and outlined next steps, including prompt implementation of agreed-upon measures, regular follow-up meetings, and sustained collaboration for ongoing improvements.

The meeting concluded with a shared dedication to overcoming challenges and providing citizens with reliable public transportation services. The Ministry and GHAPTE affirmed their commitment to continuous collaboration and improvement.

In the aftermath of the Budget Hearing on November 15, 2023, the Hon. Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development engaged in crucial discussions with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to address challenges surrounding Property Rate revenue collection. The decision to revert this responsibility back to the Assemblies prompted a meeting focused on identifying issues and formulating solutions.

The Hon. Minister directed the establishment of a specialized committee. This committee is mandated to assess the current interim arrangement critically. Its objective is to propose a strategic way forward, emphasizing steps to enhance the efficiency of property rate collection.

The meeting conducted a thorough analysis of previous property rate collection efforts by GRA. This involved a detailed examination of challenges faced, an understanding of the collection process, and identification of areas for improvement.

Upon formation, the committee will be tasked with proposing strategies to address identified issues and outlining steps to streamline and improve the interim property rate collection process.

The committee will promptly initiate its assessment, with findings to be presented to the Ministry. Recommendations for improvements and a revised plan for property rate collection will be developed.

The meeting underscored the need for a comprehensive assessment of the current interim arrangement for Property Rate revenue collection. The establishment of a committee signals a commitment to proactively address issues and ensure an efficient and effective property rate collection process. This collaborative effort between the Ministry and GRA aims to enhance revenue generation for the Assemblies, contributing significantly to the overall decentralization and rural development agenda.